Ryan Garner dreaming of St Mary's showdown - Five major fights to be held at English football stadiums

Ryan Garner produced a stunning display to win three titles with a brutal last round stoppage of Reece Bellotti.

Now British, Commonwealth, and European ruler at super-featherweight, Garner is seeking bigger fights and he wants to compete at St Mary's stadium, the home of his beloved Southampton.

Here, DAZN News looks at other occasions when the major stadiums of English football have played host to some boxing action. 

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 

When Spurs unveiled their new stadium in 2019, it was clear early on that it would be a multi-purpose venue and that boxing would one day be staged there. 

That moment arrived in 2021, and it was a major contest as Anthony Joshua defended his heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk. 

In front of a sold-out crowd, the Ukrainian dominated from the opening bell as he produced a masterclass to rip the titles from the local favourite. 

Tony Bellew vs Junior Makabu – Goodison Park 

Liverpool’s Tony Bellew has forever spoken about the opportunity to fight at his believed Goodison Park and he finally got that chance in 2016. 

Headlining a big Bank Holiday Sunday bill, Bellew was fighting for a world title for the third time, and he had an entire city urging him on. 

After hitting the deck early, Bellew rebounded well, and he scored an outstanding third round stoppage to realise a childhood dream. 

David Haye vs. Derek Chisora – Upton Park 

Before West Ham moved into the London Stadium, their Upton Park home was the host of some memorable fights. 

Michael Katsidis stopped Kevin Mitchell there in 2010 before it staged one of the most bad-tempered feuds in British boxing history. 

David Haye and Derek Chisora had been involved in a huge fight at a press conference in Germany and they finally settled their differences on a rainy night at Upton Park as Haye earned a stoppage. 

Ricky Hatton vs Juan Lazcano - City of Manchester Stadium

Ricky Hatton bounced back from his 2007 loss to Floyd Mayweather with a huge homecoming the following year against Juan Lazcano. 

Manchester City’s home stadium was bouncing for the return of their favourite fighting son and Hatton did not let them down. 

Despite enduring some tough moments, Hatton was able to overcome the threat of Lazcano and take victory on the scorecards. 

Chris Eubank vs Nigel Benn 2 – Old Trafford 

Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn had already shared the ring together and their rematch was another blockbuster affair that required a stadium setting. 

Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, was the chosen venue and it hosted the grudge fight at the backend of 1993. 

Although major rivals, the pair could reignite the intensity if their first contest and although still an absorbing bout, their original was better. 

After a dozen rounds of action, the fight was scored as a draw even though many thought Benn had done enough to take the win.